Not sure I would mention this if I was "down the  Pub" (This Forum)

 

The photo attachments show evidence of what I needed to do to win an English Idiom contest.

 

An explanation is as follows:

 

The "idiom contest" is an ongoing annual competition (previously every few months) in which for the period, all-comers worldwide, are invited to submit what they believe are English idioms, together with their meanings, not already in 'The Free Dictionary' database. There is prize money if one submits the most accepted idioms in that time. Second and Third placed are awarded $50 and First placed, $150

 

I came Second in 2020 (part), First in 2020 (part) and First again in 2021. Prize Winners are shown on the idiom contest page with minimal information to protect privacy.

 

The Free Dictionary claims the largest collection of English idioms in the world that is currently about 18,000. The website has  amassed 13 billion views so is a substantial and popular site.

 

I am now responsible for adding more than 400 English idioms previously not in their database, having submitted over 3,000 possibles over the last eighteen months.

 

And all this, without a shot being fired  (an idiom)

 

At the end of the day, by and large, all things said and done, as it were, so to speak (some idioms), can I call myself a World Champion?

For what it's worth, in my ever so humble opinion, it goes without saying that based on the prima facie evidence presented, you should indeed be the recipient of a trophy in recognition of your contribution to humanity.

 

However, clarification is required as to precisely when does an idiom become a euphemism, or indeed vice versa, and if awarded said trophy, dost thou possess a shelf in order to satisfactorily display said item?

 

All joking aside - well done my man!

I had to Google "idiom".

Yes, well done. You should be over the moon.

 

I spend ages researching the history/stories behind idioms......fascinating stuff......and well done champ.

18 hours ago, Will B Good said:

I spend ages researching the history/stories behind idioms......fascinating stuff......and well done champ.

I have a few beers and thoroughly research the inside of my eyelids.????

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

I have a few beers and thoroughly research the inside of my eyelids.????

Doing that at the moment......hotel has a free bar 1800 to 2000 every night.......only three days in and starting to struggle....got another 27 nights to go!!!

Thank you for your comments.

 

As a matter of interest, I did no research - every time I inadvertently said an idiom in everyday speech, I wrote it down wherever I was. In the end, I had notes in my PC, phone and tablet and in three notebooks. I cannot possibly recall them at will! Since 1st November, I already have another 50 idioms that I haven't checked yet. There maybe only one or two not already in the database. It is getting more difficult to find "new" ones as the database keeps being added to.

 

My definition of a true idiom, is when two or more words in a phrase, when translated separately, have nothing to do with the idiomatic meaning. Example: A "sleeping policeman" The idiomatic meaning is that it is a ramp across a road that is designed to slow you down; nothing to do with "sleeping" or "policeman" (when the words are translated separately).

 

I once asked a Thai professor of English what she would do if she came across a sleeping policeman, she said, "First of all I would take his gun". And what's more I told her in advance it was an idiom!